NFC Notes: Cardinals, 49ers, Seahawks

Cardinals

Cardinals HC Kliff Kingsbury came into the NFL with a reputation of an Air Raid coach. And for the first few weeks, that’s what Arizona’s offense looked like with a lot of plays out of “10” personnel — one running back, no tight ends and four receivers. But Kingsbury adjusted to his personnel and started using the tight end more in the offense as the season went on, which really shows his identity as a coach. 

• Per Mike Jurecki of the team website, Kingsbury says QB Kyler Murray bulked up a little bit entering his second season: “He’s obviously put on some mass, you can tell. He’s bigger, thicker. I think he understood it’s a long season, you’re going to take a bit of a pounding. He wanted to bulk up in that area.”

49ers

Monday was the first time that 49ers GM John Lynch and HC Kyle Shanahan could speak with TE George Kittle since last season ended, and all three men are hoping that a new contract gets done between the two sides.

“We are working diligently to come to a resolution,” Lynch said, via Jennifer Lee Chan. “I’ve been on record talking about what George means to this place. We’ve tried to be respectful of the agent-player thing, but it’s always nice just to talk to the player. I think there’s a great understanding that we’re in this thing together. We’re partners to try to get something done because it makes too much sense not to.”

Kittle will likely become the highest-paid player at his position, as Chargers TE Hunter Henry will make $10.6 million in 2020 under the franchise tag and Browns TE Austin Hooper signed a four-year, $42 million deal.

“We’re doing everything we can to get that done; I do feel good about it,” Shanahan said. “It was great to see George today for the first time. No one has changed and I feel really good about this going forward and feel very optimistic about it. Hopefully, something will happen sooner than later. Not too concerned about it, though.”

• Per the Athletic’s Matt Barrows, 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo says RB Jerick McKinnon‘s past experience as a college quarterback helped get the two on the same page quickly: “Even just throwing routes on air this offseason, he runs them differently than most running backs. And he has a feel that’s like a receiver, but he feels space like a quarterback. It’s very unique and I’m excited to get him back, man. It’s been a while.”
• Garoppolo added his surgically repaired knee feels “night and day” different than last year. 
• 49ers RB Raheem Mostert said after a lot of thought he’s decided not to opt out of the 2020 season, though he’ll stay away from his family this year: “It was a very long and tough discussion with my wife. She’s back in Cleveland with the family, with my 13-month-old son as well as we’re expecting our second child at the end of September. The discussions we’ve had, man, have been long and extensive. But she understands the importance of me being out here and providing for the family.” (Cam Inman)
• Mostert talked about his decision to bulk up to potentially carry a larger workload in 2020: “It was having more muscle mass and having more endurance so I’ll be able to get 20-something carries a game. Not to say it’s not happening but I have to prepare for it…I am the starting RB and my confidence level is up to the guys considered top backs.” (Inman)
• Despite his trade request, Mostert wasn’t worried about not being in San Francisco this year: “It’s one of those things where I knew it was going to be right regardless of how it played out. But I knew at the end, it was going to be all right and I was still going to be a Niner no matter what.” (Nick Wagoner)
• New 49ers DE Dion Jordan fills a need as a direct backup to speed rusher Dee Ford, who was limited all last year with a knee injury and figures to have a snap count in 2020 as well. (Barrows)

Seahawks

• The Athletic’s Michael Shawn-Dugar writes that unless Seahawks first-round LB Jordyn Brooks can beat out K.J. Wright at weakside linebacker, which isn’t totally out of the question, he’s likely looking at a situational role as a rookie. 
• Seahawks HC Pete Carroll mentioned the team was planning a package that would put all four of their top linebackers on the field together, which likely means bringing in Brooks while strongside linebacker Bruce Irvin moves into a pass-rushing role. 
• Carroll added the staff is excited about cooking up ways to get S Marquise Blair on the field in their three-safety packages: “For the most part, we have to figure out Marquise. He’s the one that’s going to get the opportunity to get in the slot and do some stuff that puts him in a position to be really active and be part of the pressure packaging and some real aggressive part of the play. That’s cool for him.”
• Dugar suggests the Seahawks could bring back C Joey Hunt after cutting him to save money on his restricted free agent tender like they did with DE Branden Jackson. Former Seahawks C Justin Britt is another option as he remains in Seattle rehabbing his ACL tear.